The controversy surrounding how much each member of the Nigerian senate is paid got the attention of the senate after former president Olusegun Obasanjo called out the senate for fixing their own salaries.
In response, as reported by the Cable, the Senate’s spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, labeled the former president’s statement “uncharitable.”
“The Nigerian Senate is petrified by the tattling story of determining its own salaries and receiving a special fiscal package from the Presidency,” the spokesman stated.
“To straighten the records, the Senate receives only the salary allocated constitutionally by the Revenue Mobilization Fiscal Allocation Commission. We challenge anyone who is privileged, either in qualified or absolute position to bring forth any contrary fact. The Senators or the National Assembly do not and cannot fix their salaries,” he added.
The senate spokesperson explained that constituency initiatives are solely nominated by parliamentarians and have no say in their execution.
“And the amount varies depending on the number of constituencies in each state of the federation. It’s merely a contribution to the Federal budget to ensure that every nook and cranny of Nigeria feels Federal presence,” he said.
What ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo had said
Former president of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday argued that it was “immoral” for members of the national assembly to choose their own benefits and salaries.
According to Obasanjo, the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) should be in charge of determining the salaries of people holding public office.
“Look at your case, with all due respect,” the former president said.
You are not supposed to fix your salaries or your allowances; it is supposed to be done by the RMFAC, but you decide what you pay yourselves, the allowances that you give yourselves, newspaper allowances, pant allowances, you give yourself all sorts of things. With due respect, you know it is not right.
It is not right for me to be the one to declare and determine what I pay myself. It is immoral, and then you are doing it. The senate is doing it, and in some cases, the executive gives you what you are not entitled to. You all got N200 million.”
This particular subject has been a bone of contention between the Nigerian government and the people.
Nigerians online have stressed the fact that government officials are overly compensated, especially considering the economic challenges currently plaguing the country.
